February Garden Tasks

February Garden Tasks

            Shrub and Tree Care

Deciduous shrubs and trees are still dormant enough to transplant this month. Once the buds have begun to swell, it will be too late. Azaleas and other small shrubs transplant easily but moving large Rhododendrons and other specimen size plants takes considerably more effort and require some additional help.

Trees that weren't fed last fall should be deep fed by punching a series of 1-2 inch holes two feet apart around the drip line and filled with the appropriate food. A mulch of well composted manure is also an excellent treat for your tree.

When Should I fertilize my shrubs and evergreens?

• Mid to late February

What kind of fertilizer should I use?

• Use an acid type Rhododendron fertilizer to feed evergreens, conifers, broad leaf evergreens, Rhododendrons, Azaleas and Camellias.
• Use an all-purpose fertilizer to feed Roses and other deciduous trees and shrubs.
• If you use granular type fertilizers, be sure to water it in thoroughly.

When should I begin pruning?

• Prune your summer flowering shrubs now but be aware that spring bloomers have already produced their buds last fall, and pruning them now will result in the loss of flowers.
• Forsythia, Spirea and other early spring flowering shrubs should be pruned a little later, after they have finished flowering.
• Pruning should be done to improve the shape of the plant, as well as to open up the center
  of the plant to good air circulation and sun exposure.

What steps should I take to prune my shrubs?

• Always start your pruning by removing all dead, decayed or broken branches.
• The methods of pruning Roses vary, depending on the type of Rose. Climbing roses should be thinned out to get rid of last years tangled growth.
• It's a good time to stroll around and trim back any branches that were damaged by the winter cold.

If you have not applied your dormant spray to your fruit trees, DO IT NOW!! The sprays will provide treatment for disease and over winter pests. If there are buds on your fruit trees do not spray. Be sure to prune your tree before you spray.